Airbus appears to be aiming to fly the re-engined A330neo for the first time next week.

While the airframer has not confirmed a date for the first flight, the aircraft – a -900 variant – has been undergoing preparations after being transferred to the flight-test division.

The first A350-900 prototype flew some two weeks after it was handed over to the division and a source familiar with the situation indicates a window for the A330neo around 17-19 October.

First flights are typically weather-dependent but meteorological specialist Meteo France is forecasting good conditions for Toulouse over the next week.

TAP Portugal is set to be the first operator of the A330neo, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

Source: Cirium Dashboard